U.S. patent application number 15/107256 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-15 for floor-bound transport vehicle for containers, featuring a lifting function.
The applicant listed for this patent is Terex MHPS IP Management GmbH. Invention is credited to Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas, Armin Wieschemann.
Application Number | 20160362033 15/107256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52232146 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160362033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hegewald; Mike ; et
al. |
December 15, 2016 |
FLOOR-BOUND TRANSPORT VEHICLE FOR CONTAINERS, FEATURING A LIFTING
FUNCTION
Abstract
A floor-bound transport vehicle for transporting containers has
at least one lifting platform which is arranged on a vehicle frame
of the transport vehicle and can be lifted from a lowered
transportation position into a raised transfer position and lowered
again via a lifting drive. The lifting drive is part of a
vertically adjustable wheel suspension on a chassis of the
transport vehicle. In order to be able more easily pick up and put
down the containers, the wheel suspension is designed in the manner
of a hinge.
Inventors: |
Hegewald; Mike; (Dusseldorf,
DE) ; Moutsokapas; Jannis; (Monheim, DE) ;
Wieschemann; Armin; (Oberhausen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Terex MHPS IP Management GmbH |
Dusseldorf |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
52232146 |
Appl. No.: |
15/107256 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
December 11, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/077457 |
371 Date: |
June 22, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 1/027 20130101;
B60P 1/6445 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60P 1/02 20060101
B60P001/02; B60P 1/64 20060101 B60P001/64 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 114 841.7 |
Claims
1. A ground transport vehicle, for the transportation of containers
comprising an automatically guided container transport vehicle for
port facilities having at least one load surface disposed on a
vehicle frame of the transport vehicle, wherein guide elements, are
disposed at the lateral edges, as seen in the direction of travel,
on the vehicle frame and serve to align a container to be set down
on the load surface with respect to the load surface, wherein the
load surface can be raised from a lowered transport position by a
lifting drive to a raised transfer position or lowered reversely,
wherein the lifting drive is part of a height-adjustable wheel
suspension of a running gear of the transport vehicle, and the
wheel suspension is formed in the manner of a hinged joint.
2. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel
suspension comprises a strut articulated on the vehicle frame and a
rocker pivotably articulated on the strut via a horizontal lifting
spindle.
3. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lifting
drive is connected in an articulated manner to the rocker.
4. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the running
gear is a multi-axle running gear and has a plurality of wheel
suspensions.
5. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel
suspension comprises a swing axle which is attached to a strut via
a rocker, wherein the lifting drive is formed as a hydraulic
cylinder between the rocker and the strut.
6. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rocker
is articulated at one end on the swing axle and at the other end on
the strut via a lifting spindle.
7. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strut
is articulated on the vehicle frame via a rotary bearing which can
rotate about an approximately vertically oriented axis.
8. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the strut
has an externally toothed centre pivot plate for rotation about the
rotary bearing.
9. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strut
is a profile part which is open on one side, has a substantially
U-shaped cross-section and is narrowed from the vehicle frame
towards the rocker.
10. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the strut
is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle such that
the swing axle is disposed approximately vertically below the
fastening point of the strut on the rotary bearing when the rocker
is oriented approximately horizontally.
11. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift
of the lifting drive is approximately 600 mm.
12. (canceled)
13. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
lifting device is additionally connected to the strut.
14. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
running gear is a multi-axle running gear and has a plurality of
wheel suspensions.
15. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 14, wherein each
wheel suspension comprises a swing axle which is attached to a
strut via a respective rocker, wherein the lifting drive is formed
as a hydraulic cylinder between the rocker and the strut.
16. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
rocker is articulated at one end on the swing axle and at the other
end on the strut via a lifting spindle.
17. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the strut
is articulated on the vehicle frame via a rotary bearing which can
rotate about an approximately vertically oriented axis.
18. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the strut
has an externally toothed centre pivot plate for rotation about the
rotary bearing.
19. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the strut
is articulated on the vehicle frame via a rotary bearing which can
rotate about an approximately vertically oriented axis.
20. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein each wheel
suspension comprises a swing axle which is attached to a strut via
a respective rocker, wherein the lifting drive is formed as a
hydraulic cylinder between the rocker and the strut.
21. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
rocker is articulated at one end on the swing axle and at the other
end on the strut via a lifting spindle.
22. The transport vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide
elements comprise container position adapters.
23. A system for transferring containers between a ground transport
vehicle for containers and a transfer station for containers,
wherein the transport vehicle for the transportation of containers
comprises an automatically guided container transport vehicle for
port facilities having at least one load surface disposed on a
vehicle frame of the transport vehicle, which load surface can be
raised from a lowered transport position by a lifting drive to a
raised transfer position or lowered reversely, and wherein the
transport vehicle with its raised or lowered load surface can enter
the transfer station in order to transfer a container to the
transfer station or to pick it up therefrom, wherein guide elements
comprising container position adapters are disposed at the lateral
edges, as seen in the direction of travel, on the vehicle frame and
serve to align a container to be set down on the load surface with
respect to the load surface, wherein the lifting drive is part of a
height-adjustable wheel suspension of a running gear of the
transport vehicle, and the wheel suspension is formed in the manner
of a hinged joint.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the priority benefits of
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2014/077457, filed on
Dec. 11, 2014, and claims benefit of DE 10 2013 114 841.7, which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a ground transport vehicle for the
transportation of containers having at least one load surface
disposed on a vehicle frame of the transport vehicle and able to be
raised from a lowered transport position by a lifting drive to a
raised transfer position or lowered reversely, wherein the lifting
drive is part of a height-adjustable wheel suspension of a running
gear of the transport vehicle.
[0003] From European patent document EP 0 302 569 B1 a system is
already known for loading and unloading a ship with containers.
This system comprises at least one quay crane for loading and
unloading the container ships moored at the quay. Using the quay
cranes, the containers are picked up from a transport vehicle or
the containers are set down on this transport vehicle. This
transport vehicle is able to travel on the quay without the use of
rails and is guided automatically by a control device. The
container is unloaded from the transport vehicle or picked up from
the transport vehicle at a stationary transfer station. This
transfer station consists essentially of stationary support tables
onto which the containers are set down or from which the containers
are picked up. These support tables are formed in the manner of a
support arm and support the container from below in the region of
their long sides. Accordingly, the space between the opposing
support tables is narrower than the width of the containers. In
order to be able to pick up the container from the support table or
to set it down thereon, provision is made for the transport vehicle
to have a platform for transportation of the containers, which
platform is raised relative to a vehicle frame of the transport
vehicle in order to receive a container and then the transport
vehicle is driven out of the region of the support tables with the
container now resting on the platform thereof. When using a
platform which can be raised and lowered, the platform is to be
lowered for onward travel of the transport vehicle. The setting
down of the containers on the support table is effected in reverse
order. In order that the transport vehicle is able to receive the
containers from the transfer station, the platform which can be
raised and lowered has a width which is narrower than the space
between the opposing support tables. From this transfer station,
the containers are then picked up by a gantry crane operating
automatically and set down in a container storage depot or set down
therein by the gantry crane.
[0004] Furthermore, in relation to the transport vehicle it is
stated that the platform can be raised and lowered by a mechanical,
pneumatic or hydraulic lifting drive.
[0005] DE 10 2007 039 778 A1 discloses a ground transport vehicle
for the transportation of containers having at least one lifting
platform disposed on a vehicle frame of the transport vehicle,
which lifting platform can be raised from a lowered transport
position by a lifting drive to a raised transfer position or
conversely lowered from the one to the other. For this purpose, the
lifting platform is fastened via at least one knee lever on the
vehicle frame so that the lifting platform can be raised or lowered
via the at least one knee lever, for which purpose the lifting
drive acts on the at least one knee lever. The lifting platform for
the lifting and lowering movement is guided on the transport
vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an automatically guided,
rubber-tired ground vehicle, such as a so-called AGV (Automatic
Guided Vehicle), which comprises improved pick-up and set-down of
the loads, such as containers.
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in the
case of a ground transport vehicle for the transportation of
containers having at least one load surface which is disposed on a
vehicle frame of the transport vehicle and can be raised from a
lowered transport position by a lifting drive to a raised transfer
position or lowered reversely, wherein the lifting drive is part of
a height-adjustable wheel suspension of a running gear of the
transport vehicle, improved pick-up and set-down of the containers
is achieved in that the wheel suspension is formed in the manner of
a hinged joint. In this way, a simple possibility is created of
raising or lowering the load surface. By integration of the lifting
drive into the running gear and the hinge-like formation of the
wheel suspension thus provided, an even lower construction height
in the region of the vehicle frame is also achieved. The container
load surface can also be designed in a simpler manner since it is
static. Only the entire vehicle frame is moved.
[0008] In a constructionally simple manner, provision is made for
the wheel suspension to comprise a strut articulated on the vehicle
frame and a rocker pivotably articulated on the strut via a
horizontal lifting spindle.
[0009] Furthermore, provision is made in a constructionally simple
manner for the lifting drive to be connected in an articulated
manner at least to the rocker and preferably additionally to the
strut.
[0010] In particular, the running gear is a multi-axle running gear
having a plurality of wheel suspensions.
[0011] In a particular embodiment, each wheel suspension comprises
a swing axle which is attached to a strut via a respective rocker,
wherein an adjustable hydraulic cylinder is articulated between the
rocker and the strut for the lifting motion. The strut is connected
at one end to the vehicle frame and, by means of the arrangement of
the rocker between the swing axle and the strut, the vehicle frame
or the container load surface can be raised and lowered by means of
the hydraulic cylinder for pick-up or set-down purposes.
[0012] For this reason, the rocker is articulated at one end on the
swing axle and at the other end on the strut.
[0013] In order to permit steering (straight travel, travel on a
curve, travel on an incline, backwards movement etc.) of the
individual axles, the strut is articulated on the vehicle frame via
a rotary bearing which can rotate about an approximately vertically
oriented axis. In order to effect the steering movement, the strut
can have an externally toothed centre pivot plate for rotation
about the rotary bearing. Monitoring of the steering deflection can
be effected via angle transmitters (e.g. potentiometers).
Alternatively, the steering movement can be effected via hydraulic
cylinders, of which the changes in length are monitored.
[0014] The strut is a profile part which is open on one side, has a
substantially U-shaped cross-section and is narrowed from the
vehicle frame towards the rocker. Therefore, a high level of
rigidity can be achieved with low weight. In addition, the
hydraulic cylinder can therefore be centrally articulated on the
vehicle frame within the profile below the fastening point of the
strut, which is advantageous with respect to the absorption of
force.
[0015] When the strut is inclined in the longitudinal direction of
the vehicle such that the swing axle is disposed approximately
vertically below the fastening point of the strut on the rotary
bearing when the rocker is oriented approximately horizontally, an
advantageous absorption of weight by the tyres or swing axles can
be achieved.
[0016] The lift of the hydraulic cylinder is preferably 600 mm.
[0017] The preferred field of application of the transport vehicle
in accordance with the invention is in its use as a container
transport vehicle for port facilities, in particular in the form of
an AGV.
[0018] In the present case, the running gear is considered to be
the entirety of all moveable parts of the vehicle which serve for
connection to the travel lane. The running gear comprises wheels,
the wheel suspension, the suspension system, shock absorbers,
steering means and brakes. The wheel suspension is understood to be
all components for moveable connection between the wheel/tire and
the vehicle frame.
[0019] Further details of the invention will become clear from the
following description of an exemplified embodiment with reference
to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatically guided
vehicle in a transfer station,
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with
FIG. 1 outside a transfer station,
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1 in which the vehicle frame
of the vehicle is raised,
[0023] FIG. 4 is a view in accordance with FIG. 3 with the vehicle
frame lowered and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a view of the height-adjustable wheel suspension
on the vehicle frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an automatically guided
vehicle 1 within a transfer station 2. The vehicle 1 can travel
freely on the ground and not on rails but on tyres 1a in the sense
of air-filled rubber tires. A transfer station of this type can
serve as an interface between the automatically guided vehicles 1
and another transport means such as e.g. an automatic,
semi-automatic or manual gantry crane with a spreader frame as the
load pick-up means or a high-leg, manned or unmanned straddle
carrier device.
[0026] The transfer station 2 consists essentially of a stationary
support frame 3 which has legs 3a in the form of vertical posts and
horizontal support surfaces 3c fastened thereto to receive
containers 5 to be set down thereon. The legs 3a rest at their
lower end on ground 4 which, in a port area, is usually part of a
quay. At the upper ends 3d thereof remote from the ground 4 the
legs 3a are angled inwards and each form the horizontal support
surface 3c so that the legs 3a appear L-shaped as seen in the
direction of travel F of the vehicle 1. All in all, eight legs 3a
are provided, of which in each case four legs adjoining an entry
channel 6 for the vehicle 1 to the right and left as seen in the
direction of travel F are disposed spaced apart from one another
and from the vehicle 1 driven into the transfer station 2. The
right and left legs 3a are also each disposed in an opposing
arrangement. A space a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) between two oppositely
disposed legs 3a is selected to be greater than the width b of the
vehicle 1 in order to permit entry of the vehicle 1. In this
connection, the space a is approximately 100 mm greater than the
width b.
[0027] The containers 5 rest with their stable corner fittings 5a
(corner castings), which are preferably disposed in their lower
corners, on the support surfaces 3c when they have been set down
thereon by the vehicle 1 or another transport means. Furthermore,
the eight legs 3a or the associated support surfaces 3c are
disposed with respect to one another such that 20-foot, 40-foot or
45-foot containers 5 can be set down with their corner fittings 5a
on the support surfaces 3c. In FIG. 1, two 20-foot containers 5
have been set down one behind the other on the eight support
surfaces 3c in the transfer station 2. In order to be able to set
down 40-foot or 45-foot containers 5 in the transfer station 2, the
first and last pairs of legs 3a, as seen in the direction of travel
F, are wider in order to be able to receive, in the region of the
upper ends 3b thereof, two support surfaces 3c which are spaced
apart from one another and located one behind the other as seen in
the direction of travel F. A total of ten support surfaces 3c are
therefore provided. The outermost support surfaces 3c on the first
and last pairs of legs 3a serve to receive a 45-foot container 5;
the inner support surfaces 3c on the first and last pairs of legs
3a serve to receive a 40-foot container 5.
[0028] In the preferred exemplified embodiment described above,
individual, flat and rectangular support surfaces 3c are disposed
on the legs 3a. Instead of the individual support surfaces 3c, a
support rail which is continuous as seen in the direction of travel
F and has an L-shaped cross-section can also be used, wherein one
limb is fastened to the upper end 3b of the legs 3a and the other
limb forms the horizontal, inwardly facing support surface 3c.
[0029] In order to set down the containers 5 on the support
surfaces 3c or in order to pick up the containers 5 from the
support surfaces 3c, the vehicle 1 has a load surface 7 in the form
of a box-like platform which is disposed on a vehicle frame 8 and
can be vertically raised and lowered together with the vehicle
frame 8 of the vehicle 1 by means of a running gear 10 of the
vehicle 1. The lifting height of the load surface 7 or of the
running gear 10 is about 600 mm. Furthermore, the load surface 7
extends, as seen in the direction of travel F of the vehicle 1,
over almost the entire length of the vehicle 1 and is of a size
appropriate for receiving two 20-foot containers 5 one behind the
other or one 40-foot or one 45-foot container 5.
[0030] In FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 has just entered the transfer
station 2. This is usually carried out automatically so that the
entry channel 6 with the width a between the opposing legs 3a of
the support frame 3 also only has to be slightly larger than the
width b of the vehicle 1. Prior to entry of the vehicle 1 into the
transfer station 2, the vehicle 2 was halted briefly in order to
raise the load surface 7 jointly with the vehicle frame 8 from its
lower transport position into its upper lifting position.
[0031] In this lifting position, the upper side of the load surface
7, on which the container 5 rests, protrudes, as seen in the
vertical direction, over the support surfaces 3c which extend
horizontally inwards. As seen in the direction of travel F, the
load surface 7 has a narrower width c than the space d (see FIG. 4)
between the support surfaces 3d of the opposing legs 3a of the
support frame 3. Therefore, the vehicle 1 can enter the transfer
station 2 with its load surface 7 raised in the lifting position,
without the support platform 7 coming into contact with the support
surfaces 3c. The upper side of the support platform 7 is also
located above the support surfaces 3c so that when the vehicle 1 is
entering the transfer station 2, the lower surface 5c (see FIG. 3)
of the container 5, in particular the corner fittings 5a thereof,
is located above the support surfaces 3c.
[0032] Furthermore, provision is made for guide elements 9,
conventionally designated as container position adapters, which are
disposed at the lateral edges, as seen in the direction of travel
F, on the vehicle frame 8 and protrude vertically upwards, to be
able to pivot inwards, fold away or to be sunk in order not to
collide with the support surfaces 3c as the vehicle 1 is entering
the transfer station 2. The guide elements 9 are therefore moved
out of a structural clearance required for entry of the vehicle 1
into the transfer station 2. The guide elements 9 consist
essentially of ramp-like guide surfaces 9a, preferably made of
sheet metal, which, as seen in the lowering direction of the
container 5, taper in the direction of the load surface 7 and which
serve to align a container 5 set down on the load surface 7 with
respect to the load surface 7 and therefore in the direction of
travel F and transversely with respect thereto. Accordingly, the
guide elements 9 are disposed in the region of the corners of the
containers 5 to be set down, in order to permit guidance of the
containers 5 in, and transversely with respect to, the direction of
travel F. Furthermore, in the region of the transfer station 2, the
guide elements 9 are pivoted into the vehicle frame 8 of the
vehicle 1.
[0033] When the vehicle 1 has achieved its desired entry depth into
the transfer station 2, the load surface 7 jointly with the vehicle
frame 8 is lowered into its transport position and the container 5
is set down with its corner fittings on the support surfaces 3c.
The vehicle 1 can then leave the transfer station 2 with the load
surface 7 lowered or the vehicle frame 8 lowered, leaving the
container 5 behind on the support frame 3.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a vehicle 1 in accordance
with FIG. 1, in which, in order to illustrate the lifting function
of the load surface 7, the vehicle frame 8 and the load surface 7
are shown in the raised lifting position.
[0035] In order to facilitate the setting down of the container 5
on the load surface 7 which is located for this purpose in the
lower transport position, the above-described hopper-like guide
elements 9 are provided on the vehicle frame 8 of the vehicle 1.
These guide elements 9 have a guide surface 9a which is oriented
inwardly towards the load surface 7 and which widen in the upwards
direction starting from the vehicle frame 8.
[0036] FIGS. 1 and 2 also show that the vehicle 1 is not a rail
vehicle but a vehicle 1 with air-filled rubber tyres 1a.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a front view of FIG. 1 as seen in the direction
of travel F of the vehicle 1 which is positioned in the transfer
station 2 between the legs 3a. The container 5 which can be seen in
this FIG. 3 and the load surface 7 with the vehicle frame 8 are
located in the raised lifting position. It is clear that the corner
fittings 5a or the lower surface 5b of the container 5 are located
at a vertical distance e above the support surfaces 3c of the legs
3a. This space e can vary between 50 and 150 mm depending on the
loading state of the container 5 and the filling pressure of the
tyres 1a. It is also clear that two tyres 1a are provided per axle
in the manner of a twin tyre arrangement.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3, wherein,
however, the load surface 7 with the vehicle frame 8 is located in
its lowered transport position without supporting a container 5.
The container 5 lies with its corner fittings 5a on the support
surfaces 3c.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a view of a height-adjustable wheel suspension
11 of the running gear 10 on the vehicle frame 8 of the vehicle 1.
Each wheel suspension 11 comprises a swing axle 14 with two tyres
1a mounted thereon on the right and left--as seen in the direction
of travel F--in the manner of a twin tyre arrangement. The swing
axle is mounted on a first end 13a of a substantially horizontally
extending rocker 13. By means of the rocker 13, which extends
substantially in the direction of travel F, the swing axle 14 is
attached in an articulated manner to a strut 12. The substantially
horizontally extending rocker 13 is pivotably articulated on the
strut 12 via a lifting spindle 13b extending substantially
horizontally and transversely with respect to the direction of
travel F. Between the strut 12 and the rocker 13 an approximate
right angle is formed which varies depending on the lifting or
lowering position of the vehicle frame 8 or the load surface 7.
However, an angle is formed between the strut 12 and the rocker 13
in all positions. A lifting drive 15 in the form of a hydraulic
cylinder 15 is articulated on an upper side of the rocker 13 in the
region of the first end 13a adjacent to the swing axle 14 and is
oppositely supported at an upper end of the strut 12. By means of
the lifting drive 15, the vehicle frame 8 can be raised relative to
the tyres 1a by extension of the lifting drive 15 and can be
lowered by retraction of the lifting drive 15.
[0040] The lift of the lifting drive 15 is about 600 mm between the
lowered and raised position of the vehicle frame 8 or the load
surface 7. The lifting drive 15 thus presses e.g. the rocker 13
together with the swing axle 14 articulated thereon downwards
during lifting of the support platform 7 with respect to the strut
12, whereby the strut 12 and rocker 13 move apart in the manner of
a hinged joint and the vehicle frame 8 is raised accordingly.
[0041] The strut 12 is articulated on the vehicle frame 8 via a
rotary bearing 16 which can rotate about an approximately
vertically oriented axis, wherein the strut 12 has an externally
toothed centre pivot plate 17 for rotation about the rotary bearing
16 in order to provide a steering function.
[0042] The strut 12 is a profile part which is open on one side,
has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and tapers from the
vehicle frame 8 towards the rocker 13. The strut 12 and the rocker
13 are thus dimensioned and disposed with respect to one another in
such a way that, when the rocker 13 is oriented approximately
horizontally, the swing axle 14 is disposed approximately
vertically below the fastening point (or the middle thereof) of the
strut 12 on the rotary bearing 16. Therefore, the rotary axis of
the tyres 1a also lies almost vertically below the rotary bearing
16 when the running gear 10 is in the normal lowered transport
position.
[0043] If is fundamentally also possible, with suitable lifting and
transport apparatus, to set down the containers 5 outside the
transfer station 2 onto the load surface 7 of the vehicle 1 or to
pick it up from the load surface 7. The transfer station 2
advantageously assumes a buffer function with respect to the
container 5.
REFERENCE LIST
[0044] 1 vehicle [0045] 1a tyre [0046] 2 transfer station [0047] 3
support frame [0048] 3a leg [0049] 3b upper end [0050] 3c support
surface [0051] 4 ground [0052] 5 container [0053] 5a corner fitting
[0054] 5b lower surface [0055] 6 entry channel [0056] 7 load
surface [0057] 8 vehicle frame [0058] 9 guide element [0059] 9a
guide surface [0060] 10 running gear [0061] 11 wheel suspension
[0062] 12 strut [0063] 13 rocker [0064] 13a first end [0065] 13b
lifting spindle [0066] 14 swing axle [0067] 15 lifting drive [0068]
16 rotary bearing [0069] 17 centre pivot plate [0070] a space
between opposing legs [0071] b width of the vehicle [0072] c width
of the load surface [0073] d space between opposing support
surfaces [0074] e space between support surface and lower surface
[0075] F direction of travel
* * * * *